Islamabad High Court Bans Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court on Monday announced ban on Valentine’s Day celebrations across the country.

The court order came during hearing of a petition seeking ban on such celebrations as ‘they are not a part of a Muslim tradition’.

The IHC in its verdict said the Valentine’s Day related festivities have been banned on public places as well as on official level. Electronic and print media have also been directed to not give coverage to any promotion of the day celebrating the day.

The court also directed the information ministry, federal government, chairman Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority and chief commissioner to submit a reply within 10 days.

President Mamnoon Hussain, in his statement last year, had urged the nation not to celebrate Valentine’s Day, saying the day had no connection to our culture, hence it should be avoided.

Two days ahead of the Valentine’s Day last year, the Kohat administration in Khyber Pakhtonkhwa had issued a notification approved announcing ban on all such celebrations.

The notification said that sale of Valentine’s Day cards, flowers and paraphernalia were banned. “Action will be taken against violators,” reads the notification. It directed police officials to ensure that the orders are enforced.

Reports quoted district Nazim as saying that Valentine’s Day celebrations have been banned as it is against Shariah.